Why People Are Still Buying Dogs instead of Adopting One

Most people know that the local shelter is overflowing with dogs who are looking for a forever home. And adopting an animal is probably something that goes through your mind before you get a new pet. But the truth is that many people still buy dogs from breeders or friends instead of adopting one from the shelter for 3 major reasons.

1.      They Believe the Myths about Pet Adoption

There is a lot of misinformation about pet adoptions, and it’s difficult to dissuade people from them. After all, it only takes one bad experience to bad-mouth every animal inside the shelter.

Myth #1: It’s Impossible to Find the Dog You Want

Whether you’re looking for a specific breed, age, or disposition, you can find the dog you want in a shelter or from a foster home. The only caveat is that it will take more time than contacting a breeder and waiting for the next litter of puppies. But shelters know how important it is to find the pet you’re looking for. Many rescue organizations can even relocate pets for their perfect new home, so you’re not stuck just looking inside your city limits, either.

Myth #2: Shelter Dogs Don’t Make Good Pets

Every dog is different, and not every shelter dog will make a good pet for you. That part is true. But there is a dog in the shelter who is just right for you. Fortunately, the staff at your local rescue organization knows the animals well. For example, they won’t give you a dog who doesn’t like cats if you have one or more feline companions. And they would never place a dog who tends to get nervous around loud noises in a family with little children.
  

Myth #3: Shelter Dogs Have Too Much Baggage

Everyone has a story behind them. You do, and so does your pet. It may take some time to get a dog from the shelter to adjust to your home, because they’re more careful than a puppy. However, in return, you get loving companionship for life if you’re willing to put in the time. If you and the dog are a good match, his personal history won’t stand in the way of a lasting friendship between the two of you.

Myth #4: Puppies Are Free, Why Pay for a Dog?

Yes, the puppy your neighbor offered you is free. But when you add the cost of neutering him, taking him to several well-visits in the first year, and replacing every item he chewed up in your home, puppies come at a hefty price tag. There’s nothing wrong with giving your neighbor’s puppy a home, but money shouldn’t be the reason not to go to the shelter instead.

Most shelters only charge nominal fees to continue doing the good work they’re doing. That’s worth supporting financially, too. Additionally, you’ll often receive a pet that’s up to date on vaccinations and has been neutered.

2.      They Fall in Love with a Puppy

Falling in love is wonderful, but new love often wears rose-colored glasses. It’s no different with a puppy. Of course, they’re cute, but it’s easy to forget the long-term implications of owning a dog when you’re staring into those big brown eyes. There’s nothing wrong with falling in love with a puppy, but you should know what you’re getting yourself into before you ever start looking for a dog.

Before you bring that puppy home, you should figure out where to keep it, how to take care of it, and what to feed it. You should train the puppy, too; that includes crate training, housetraining, and general obedience training. Finally, no matter how cute that puppy is, you should consider how the rest of your family will react to this new family member once it starts chewing on things.

3.      They Want to Know the Dog’s History

When you’re buying a car, it might be wonderful to buy a new car just for the assurance that it hasn’t been in an accident. But getting a dog is not at all the same thing. In fact, purebred dogs tend to have more health issues than most mutts you’ll find at the shelter. Incidentally, mixed-breed dogs are often cuter than their purebred counterparts, too.

And while you may not know what exactly happened to your dog in the first months or years of his life, you can still get a pretty good idea of what type of dog he is. In fact, it’s easier to judge an adult dog’s disposition than to try to predict how the puppy will turn out as an adult.

Why Pet Owners Are Happier, Healthier People

Everyone wants to be happy, and that’s only natural. It turns out that happiness might be more within your reach than you think. Technically, happiness already rests inside of you, and you don’t need any outside influence to bring it out. But in truth, happiness just comes easier to pet owners. Incidentally, pet owners are healthier, too. Are you curious to find out why? Here are 4 reasons pet owners tend to be happier and healthier people.

1.      Pets Provide a Sense of Purpose

Everyone has lots of things they have to do. For example, you must go to work, do laundry, and take the car in for an oil change. But there is a difference between doing things you’re required to do and taking care of a pet. When you feed your pet, take it for a walk or to a visit at the vet’s, your jobs have a larger sense of purpose. They’re not just tasks that need to get done; your pet’s well-being depends on you.

Having this sense of purpose can boost your self-esteem. You can even watch this phenomenon in young children. Children who are responsible for caring for an animal (even if the adult is ready to help in the background) learn to feel confident in their abilities to succeed with other tasks, too.

2.      Pets Offer Companionship

Nothing affects your mood like loneliness. There’s obviously a difference between being alone and being lonely, and everyone can benefit from alone time occasionally. But the companionship your pet offers can make you feel better, whether you’re in the mood for company or whether you’d rather be alone.

Many elderly residents really appreciate having a pet at home, because they tend to feel more isolated than the rest of the population. But you don’t have to wait until you’re retired to enjoy the companionship a pet can provide you with.

3.      Pets Directly Affect Your Health

Pets are somewhat magical. While they don’t have anything to do with your diet, they can directly impact your health. As a pet owner, you will spend time relaxing with your pet, but you will also engage in more active games. Both are great for your health, consequently keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control. Having a pet can even improve your heart health.

Pets can also calm you in times of stress. Even small animals like guinea-pigs have been shown to reduce anxiety. If you don’t believe it, just try it out yourself. When you sit down and focus on cuddling with and petting your pet, your breathing will slow down and you’ll feel calmer.

4.      Pets Help You Bond with Others

While pets are great companions, humans also need other humans to interact with. Fortunately, having a pet can make it easier for you to bond with others. It’s especially easy for dog owners, because they constantly meet new people when they’re taking their dog for a walk. But even cat owners can bond with others over their favorite animal, whether it’s coworkers, neighbors, family members or friends who turn out to be cat lovers, too.

How to Enjoy the Benefits without Owning a Pet

Owning a pet has lots of benefits, and of course, you want to be happy and healthier, too. But for one reason or another, you might not be in the right place to adopt a pet. That’s okay. You’re not doomed to eternal unhappiness, because you can still enjoy the benefits of pet ownership without adopting a pet.

For example, you could spend more time with friends who have pets and ask them to invite you to their house. If you know someone who lives close by, you might even be able to borrow their pet for a spell. You could offer to walk the dog, and some pet owners will really appreciate the offer.

If you can’t have a dog or cat right now, maybe it’s possible to have a small animal instead. Most apartment buildings don’t mind it when their tenants get guinea-pigs or rabbits, and these animals can be just as cuddly as a cat or dog. However, you should know that even guinea-pigs have a long lifespan, 8 years is not uncommon.

Finally, if you’re a dog or cat person, your best option might be to volunteer at your local shelter or foster a pet. Shelters are always looking for someone to socialize the animals and take the dogs for a walk, allowing you to be healthier and happier while doing a good deed.